Mercedes Benz Junior Cup: Rapid Vienna 6-2 Manchester United

The second group stage of the Mercedes Benz Junior Cup saw Manchester United face SK Rapid Vienna after the Austrian side finished second in Group A in the first group stage.

Once again all the outfield players spent time on the pitch but the goalkeeper rotation meant that Oliver Byrne was in goal for the game. It was a poor performance from United in the first half. Rapid Vienna took the lead early when Julian Küssler slotted home through the legs of Byrne.

Ceyhun Tüccar scored a second for the Austrians, and still there was enough time for Edvin Orascanin to grab a third before the half time whistle. United’s best chance of the half came from a shot from Tyrell Warren but it was well wide.

The second half started as a carbon copy of the first, with Küssler slotting home through the legs of Byrne once again. Küssler then saw the post deny him a hat-trick.

Indy Boonen was through on goal but shot wide. Angel Gomes, the youngest player in the tournament, scored a lovely goal from range to pull one back for the Reds. Then Callum Gribbin scored after some neat footwork inside the box.

Küssler eventually got his third, moments after a penalty claim had been waved away at the other end of the pitch. Küssler followed it up with his fourth of the game soon afterwards to cement a crushing 6-2 defeat for United.

The U19s have to face VfB Stuttgart in the second match of Group Two on Wednesday 6 January. That match will kick off at 11.30 GMT. United will then play at least one other match to determine their final standing in the competition.